Random Discussion Question: How Do You Relax?
We live in a high-stress world, so it’s important that we all have a way to de-stress. There are different levels of this. There’s the five-minute deep-breathing exercises, the hot bath at the end of a long day, the week-long vacation to Tahiti.
If I need a quick de-stressor, I go in and fix a cup of hot tea or I go for a quick walk around the block or I play Solitaire on the computer for a few minutes.
When I lived in a place that had a bathtub that wasn’t as narrow and shallow as the one I currently have, for an end-of-the-day de-stressor, I would take a long hot bath and read while enjoying a glass of wine. Now I’m more likely to sit down and watch a movie or a couple hours of TV.
For an occasionally mega de-stressor, I’ll treat myself (or my mom will give it to me as a gift) to a nice, long massage.
What do you do to relax?
Comments are closed.
KayeDacus.com 
Repeat the phrase, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love.”
Also, when I’m really stressed, I find a fluffy book and read it beginning to end. Usually about four hours straight of reading.
LikeLike
I just lay on the bed and focus on resting. A nice nap does a lot of good. Or I spend one whole day, usually on the weekend, just taking a break from everything.
LikeLike
I love taking hot, bubble baths! I’ve tried reading in the bathtub, but can’t seem to relax very well because I have no where to put my head and neck. The back of the tub is freezing cold. The tub in my house is wall to wall, not separate, ie: claw-foot.
Hot tea is the best for any situation. 🙂
LikeLike
For regular, every day stress, go to my favorite fanfiction haunt and read current or old favorite stories about my favorite show. Sometimes I even write them. Then there’s always my weekly de-stressor of “Castle” . . . 😉
For that “tired of everything” stress, I like to just get out of town. When both you AND your husband have high profile jobs in a very small town, you sometimes just want to get where NOBODY knows your name!
For major stress? LEAVE THE STATE. GO TO THE BEACH.
LikeLike
OT Kaye, I just noticed on your Twitter feed you say that you are dealing with the cover for Love Remains. Do the cover artists for your books (from the two companies you are currently working with) always hire regular models for their covers or do they ever use friends, relatives, etc.? I know sometimes Bethany House uses their employees for their cover models! The lady on the cover of one of Deeanne Gist’s books is a receptionist at BH and the model for another of her books is her youngest daughter! I think being on a book cover would be fun! Do they take volunteers?
LikeLike
I really don’t know how to de-stress. I work so much I have a hard time trying to relax at any point. On my last vacation it took me two days to wind down to the point I didn’t feel overwhelmed with stress.
When I know I’m overloading, I usually try to do some kind of mental break like watching a Foamy the Squirrel video or something like that which makes me laugh and breaks the rhythm that’s causing stress.
LikeLike
As a counselor, I would like to suggest you try a massage, or go to a good counselor who can help you learn some relaxation techniques. If you don’t have time for either of these, read up on relaxation and brain waves (alpha waves are the relaxed state of mind). Good luck. Humor does always relax, but learning other techniques can give us mini-breaks of fun and relaxation during the work day.
LikeLike
Although there are many ways to relax, my favorite way is to do something creative. I love to draw house plans or sit outside and design spaces. Just picturing something different from whatever is currently causing stress can shift your focus and energize you. A new twist on the tried and true method of visualization. Sometimes I visualize myself at a waterfall or a beach. I have a photo of Laurel Falls in my office and I keep calendars of beach scenes since it has been proven that looking at hues of blue and green scens activate the alpha waves in the brain and promote relaxation.
LikeLike
Read. Have a drink. Read while having a drink. Repeat.
I used to take baths, but generally relaxing has to happen when the kids are in bed and then all the warm water is gone after bath time. Sigh.
LikeLike
I will usually read a comfort book (usually something about Lori Wick) or the Bible. If I am very stressed out I have to go take a walk or go to the gym.
LikeLike
I forgot to mention that another really quick de-stressor is going to I Has a Hotdog or I Can Has Cheezburger and browsing through the LOL-speak captioned pictures. (Deciphering the LOL-speak gets a little old after a few pages, but still, it’s worth it for the smiles.)
http://ihasahotdog.com
http://icanhascheezburger.com
LikeLike
I read when I’m stressed or when I need to relax. It’s my escape, kind of like I think watching TV is for some people. I don’t watch TV (don’t have cable, and can’t pick up any broadcast channels) but I can pick up a book and tune out the world. (This wasn’t necessarily a good thing in college when I’d go read a book because I was stressed out about having too much work to do!)
LikeLike
Hahaha I LOVE the LOL catz and dogz, they’re great!
I like to unwind with a good romance and some Mtn Dew. Also petting my dogs and cats helps me to relax too, there’s nothing that helps me relax better than having my cat jump up on my lap or my collie, Coco putting her head on my lap begging to be petted.
LikeLike
I read, watch tv or movies, do a crossword, take a nap (only when I feel I “deserve” it, lol), and sometimes just lay on the bed or even the floor and just tune out the rest of the world. 🙂
LikeLike
Go for a run. Take a hot shower. Spend time alone at night when the house is quiet and mindlessly surf the internet or chat with friends. That’s also a way to brain-dump. I use Google Chat and Gmail like a journal these days.
LikeLike
A good book or HGTV.
LikeLike
I usually go for a walk in the mall or I lay on my bed and listen to Josh Groban whose music helps me to relax and de-stress easily.
LikeLike
I’ll make a cup of peppermint tea and either read or watch some TV – if I’m really stressed the TV option has to be something old & familiar, like a couple of Mary Tyler Moore or Get Smart episodes, something easy to zone out to.
LikeLike
Read a good book or ride my horse. Better yet both. Ha, just kidding.
LikeLike